Harper uses cuts to silence critics

By Johanna Lazore

In the first week of June, it has been reported that the Harper government notified 43 Aboriginal representative organizations – including the Assembly of First Nations — of reductions to their funding – some to be cut by as much as 30%. This comes as no surprise considering the Conservative tendency to eliminate or reduce funding to organizations whose work involves keeping Canada on track as a democratic, socially responsible nation. While the funding cuts themselves are disheartening, it is the ultimate intent behind Harper’s chosen approach that should raise concern.

Since Harper’s Conservatives came into power in 2006, they have developed a shameful record of canceling or reducing the funding for anyone critical of their agenda. And it’s not just Indigenous organizations that are being targeted, but all manner of helpful organizations that could potentially stand in their way. [For a comprehensive list of the numerous groups and individuals who have experienced cuts, visit the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives website at www.policyalternatives.ca] Similarly, individuals have been targeted, some with outright violations of their rights, when they criticize the current government’s approach. Cindy Blackstock, a well-known advocate for the rights of Indigenous children, was recently found, by the Federal Privacy Commissioner, to have had her privacy rights violated when the Government of Canada engaged in invasive surveillance of her activities.

So why would the Harper government target organizations and other bodies representing the little guy? Because, even though grassroots movements, such as the Idle No More movement, have become powerful ways to express collective dissent, they still lack the level of organization and acceptance required to present and make submissions internationally, where representative voices are preferred. And it is the international level that provides the only forum for external oversight of Canada’s treatment of Indigenous Peoples.

The very fact that it has become mainstream to refer to the current government as “the Harper government” should anger anyone believing in democracy. After all, doesn’t the government in power, whatever their party line, have a duty to look out for the interests of all Canadians? As a democratic nation, Canada has a responsibility to ensure that disadvantaged, marginalized, and otherwise underrepresented voices have the opportunity to be heard. Without critical discourse we have no hope of creating a better society or meeting our most basic goals, such as realizing human rights for all citizens. This is the basic logic behind the government providing funding to various organizations, agencies, and programs representing human rights and equality advocates.

These organizations are no doubt on Harper’s mind as he crisscrosses the globe trying to sell natural resources within Canada to any willing buyers. With Indigenous Peoples and environmental activists continuing to raise issues with key projects, such as the proposed pipelines coming out of the Tar Sands, the prospect of an easy sale is unlikely. A few of the issues raised so far include: environmental destruction, negative effects to human health, and violations of treaty, Aboriginal and human rights. It is certain that those most affected by resource extraction projects, First Nations, will actually have the most to lose should these projects go ahead. While not exactly investor-friendly, these concerns need to be given careful consideration and respectful reply – instead of being ignored.

So what’s next – outright violence against dissenters? That is precisely what’s happening in Guatemala where Indigenous Mayans have been forcefully removed from their traditional lands and punished with maximum force for criticizing the mining activities of Canadian companies. In three lawsuits against Canadian Hudbay Minerals, 13 Indigenous Mayan plaintiffs are alleging they have been subjected to brutal rapes, physical assaults, and in one case, the slaughter of the plaintiff’s husband. These cases are currently at the pre-trial stage in Ontario – a victory in itself considering the alternative of having their cases dealt with in the easily co-opted justice system of Guatemala. [For more information see www.chocversushudbay.com]

It would appear that Canada is removed from this example, but that’s only because Canada has failed to fulfill its duty in this situation. According to Amnesty International “Canadians have called for laws to regulate the human rights performance of Canadian transnational mining companies, yet the Canadian government has chosen instead to encourage companies to adopt lighter, voluntary initiatives” (http://www.amnesty.ca/our-work/campaigns/dont-undermine-our-rights/background).

It’s no secret that Harper has very strong interests in resource extraction projects. But the Government’s desire to shut down any opposition from established voices, such as Aboriginal representative organizations, is much more covert. While reducing funding is not the same as facilitating outright violence against dissenters, the effect tends to be the same: voices which should be heard are silenced. And without a variety of critical perspectives coming forth for discussion and consideration in the political arena, Canada is ultimately diminished.

Johanna Lazore, B.A., LL.B., LL.L., Snipe Clan Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk), is the principal consultant at Indigenous Renewal Consulting. She has worked at every level of “Aboriginal” government, from the international level to the grassroots level, and can be reached at jlazore@indigenousrenewal.ca